System and method for active control of wheel dynamics

A system for controlling performance of a plurality of wheels on an agricultural vehicle configured to carry a load which varies during operation of the agricultural vehicle, wherein each wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, the system comprising:

• at least one pressure sensor generating a first feedback signal corresponding to a tire pressure in a tire of one of the plurality of wheels;
• a deflection sensor generating a second feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire of the one of the plurality of wheels, the deflection sensor including:
• an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire;
• and
• a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the second feedback signal in response to the position of the arm;
• at least one air regulator configured to control air delivered to and removed from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the first and second feedback signals.

In an agricultural vehicle having a plurality of inflatable wheels, wherein each inflatable wheel includes a rim and a tire mounted to the rim, a system for controlling a dynamic performance of the plurality of inflatable wheels, comprising:

• a pressure sensor generating a first feedback signal corresponding to a tire pressure in a tire on one of the plurality of wheels;
• a deflection sensor generating a second feedback signal corresponding to a deflection of the tire on the one of the plurality of inflatable wheels, the deflection sensor including:
• an arm positioned within the tire and having a terminal end in continual engagement with an inner surface of the tire, the arm having a position that varies in response to deflection of the tire;
• and
• a sensor operatively connected to the arm for generating the second feedback signal in response to the position of the arm;
• at least one air regulator configured to control air delivered to and removed from the plurality of wheels responsive to a control signal;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the first and second feedback signals and to generate the control signal for the air regulator as a function of the first and second feedback signals.